All my support...Key to my heart

I had made my husband one of these cards for Valentine's Day and it was so much fun that I decided to make some more. I found these great Jolee's keys that are the perfect size around the neck. Like "My Heart Holds The Key" The black has a Jacquard print on it that's hard to see in the picture. I left them blank inside, they can be used for so many different occasions!

The card stock is SU! Blush Blossom, the Designer Papers are various. The ribbon I found at Michael's and it's the perfect lingerie type ribbon, I need to get some more ;) and the necklace chain is retired SU! cording.

I found the template here! The ladies on SCS had lots of fun with this design, I owe my inspiration to them!!

Happy Birthday Katrina!!

Today is my friend Katrina's birthday. She's not only my friend, but my upline as well. I give her credit for teaching me all that I know....in stamping that is, lol. I sent this card to her for her b'day and thought Sassy Suzie was a perfect set for this card!!

I used Basic Grey DP and the Build-A-Brad kit for the coffee mug. Katrina always has a coffee cup somewhere nearby ;). The sentiment says "we're such good friends because, surprisingly, you're not intimidated by my beauty!"

Other items: SU cardstocks: Barely Banana, Bordering Blue & Regal Rose. I used the Blender Pens with the ink pads to color in Suzzie, and 'Theater' Ribbon Originals with 'Antique Brass' HodgePodge.

Happy Easter

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said!"
~Matthew 28:6

Big news in our household!!!

After two years of waiting, praying and waiting some more...we've received our

I went to the doctors yesterday for the 'official' word and it's official!
Chelsea is going to be a big sister!
And get this......the due date is our Anniversary!! November 21st!
Looks like I won't look like I'm carrying the turkey this year as the little bundle is due to arrive the week before.

You can keep track with me by watching the 'ticker' at the bottom of my blog.

Wheely Great Deal!!

From March 18-April 30th
When you purchase a preselected stamp set, you'll receive the

coordinating jumbo wheel absolutely FREE ($8.50 value!)

For more information CLICK HERE

Let me know if I can be of assistance to you.

C*R*E*A*T*E

I forgot to get a picture of my CREATE when I showed off my craft studio. I had purchased these wooden letters in Okinawa and never got around to doing anything with them until we got settled here.

I painted the letters with basic craft paint in Dusty Purple. And I used SU! Designer Paper Enchante at the background. Then with my Pretties Kit and some ribbon I finished it off. That Pretties Kit is wonderful!!! The flowers dyed so easily to match the papers, PERFECT!!!

Here they are a tad closer:

They are already on my wall, above my desk, so I was trying to get to them for the photo, without breaking my neck. I attached them with Velcro tape, brilliant I must say! They have stayed up beautifully!

In the spirit of new releases....

Gina K had her "New Release" party on SCS the other night, and along with it there were a few challenges that were presented. I thought I'd do a couple of them and see what I'd come up with. Currently I only have one of her sets "Love You To Pieces" that was put out in awareness of Autism, and I used that on this card:

I had fun with this card. The sketch was planed for us and in another challenge they gave us the colors, so yes, I paired two challenges together to come up with this one. Taken With Teal, Pumpkin Pie and Soft Sky, what a combination! I also used my new SU! Chunky Glitters on the pieces, they really POP! Gina K's Store

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The next card was also a challenge, but I used my new SU! Sassy Suzie set. This chic is too funny!! This one saying is "Your friendship is the most uplifting thing in my life without underwire!" She's a hoot!

Along with the color challenge on this one: using Certainly Celery, Lovely Lilac and YoYo Yellow, we had to make the card into a scene. I took apart one of my punches to make the scalloped awning above her. I just chopped up some grass below her. She was masked so that I could put in the flowers behind her. And I touched up her cup, shoes and bling with some Crystal Effects.

I like challenges, they start you off with a direction, that way you aren't left wondering what to do. I hope you like :)

Need a catalog??

I have a few catalogs available. Some are the current catalog, but I also have older ones. If you are in need of a current edition, or missing a past one in your collection, let me know. Even though some are expired, these catalogs are filled with lots of ideas and inspiration!!!

*BONUS* I will even toss in a couple Inspiration Sheets when I send it out to you.

**I also have some past minis, if you are interested and ordering one of the main catalogs above, let me know and I'll tell you what I have and send them along as well.

Visit my store for more details: KatiesNiche

I've Been Tagged by Tonya!!!!

My first Tag!!! Tonya over at Stamp Vamp tagged me today. She has a great blog!! And it's my turn to play soooooo.............

The rules of the game:
• Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.
• Share 7 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog, we all want to know them.
• Tag 7 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
• Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 Randomly Weird Facts About Me:
1. I don't like the smell of meat, but I like meat
2. I talk to my cats, and I KNOW that they listen
3. I am going to my first rodeo this week
4. I'm from Maine and I married a Texan, couldn't get someone from further away if I tried, lol
5. My shoulder pops when I raise my arm
6. I am starting with Wilton cake decorating classes next month!!
7. Like Tanya...I love candles almost as much as stamps and always have one burning...the candles, not the stamps :)

My random 7:
Taya @ HappyGiggles
Jane @ Whoopsie Daisy
Amanda @ Inkspirations
Laura @ StampMouse
Mathilda @ StampingMathilda
Lizette @ ScrapWithLizette
Lorraine @ Taviascharmfavoritethings

Getting Ready For St. Patty's Day

I finally got my Irish set in the mail this week and had to play, just in time...we only have one more week to get into the Irish mood. Don't forget to wear your green!!

This first card I call "Dance A Jig". This little Leprechaun just looks like that is what he is doing. I clear embossed the little guy and used a button/charm that I had on hand for the "Happy St. Patrick's Day" sentiment. I used Wild Wasabi & River Rock cardstocks on this one.

This next card got me getting just a little more creative. I haven't felt too creative lately, so it started coming back...slowly :)

I love this ribbon! Matches the 'In-Color' paper perfectly, also just in time for St. Patty's Day! I also used my Ziggy to add a touch of shiny gold to his hat/shoes. This one I used Wild Wasabi (again) Always Artichoke, Barely Banana and Certainly Celery cardstocks.

And this last card is my favorite. I call it "Viva Las Leprechaun" Corny (as my 12 year old would say) I know. But, I wanted a reason to use my chunky glitter! I think he looks stylish! And I also used the Build-A-Brad for the first time on the tiny shamrock. Oh yeah....and the flowers are Rub-Ons! They go on so easily!!! I used Wild Wasabi, Confetti White and Brushed Gold cardstocks on this card.

Even if you aren't Irish, don't forget to wear your green next Monday, or you'll get pinched!

First of my Asian themed cards

As promised last week, here is one of my Asian cards. I'm using my precious Washi paper that I brought back from Japan. I got a lot of it, but just the same, it's expensive and I tend to just want to hoard it, lol. Always afraid of the day that I won't have anymore.

This particular Washi design has lots of teal in it, so I used Taken With Teal cardstock to draw that out. Also I love our Brushed Gold papers, they come in perfectly with the Washi! I added gold accents to the flowers (that I colored with Twinkle H2Os) with a Gold Metallic reinker and a fine tipped brush. This stamp is from the Artfully Asian set, I really love this set, it's so dainty and can make a card for just about any occasion.

Brand New!! Occasions Mini Collection!

The Stampin’ UP! Occasions Mini Collection is up and running. This new mini is packed with fabulous new stamp sets, never before seen! Only available for a limited time! All the sets in this mini are die-cut, so they are so quick to put together and use! There are sets that are perfect for: baby, flowers, congratulations, friends, summer & even a fantastic Father’s Day set!

Along with all the neat sets, we have new colors of glitter, more Rub-Ons and even a new Hodgepodge Hardware assortment! Cool Carousel Notes and Designer Papers to make your card making and scrapbooking that much more beautiful and easy!

You will want to check out this new mini! E-mail me with your orders and I’ll send you the invoice which will include your shipping…all this can be paid right on PayPal and the order will ship to your door! You are welcome to add items from the Spring-Summer Collection as well. And don’t forget Sale-A-Bration is in effect until March 17th and you can earn FREE Sale-A-Bration items with each $50 you spend.

This mini is only available for a limited time, so don’t delay!

As an added bonus, order from me and I will give you 10% off the item of your choice from the Occasions Mini Collection.